Glock and Springfield make several models and both are good, I Like the SPXD. Most good gun shops with a range on the premisis, will allow you to test shoot a variety of pistols, good luck, bring money.

Is there any particular reason she wants a .40? Its a great round but unless she has a lot of experience with it, a 9mm will be a lot easier on recoil, follow ups, mag cap, $ for training ammo etc.... and will do the job just fine. As far as the pistol, all mentioned above will be just fine. If she's looking at a glock, I would have her try on the 19/23 frame first to see how it fits, and the compact for M&P, go from there. If she has carny hands or ape hands, make changes accordingly. Most of it will come down to personal preference.

"Proelium Comminus Auctoritate"
"Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is a muzzle flash."

Is there any particular reason she wants a .40? Its a great round but unless she has a lot of experience with it, a 9mm will be a lot easier on recoil, follow ups, mag cap, $ for training ammo etc.... and will do the job just fine. As far as the pistol, all mentioned above will be just fine. If she's looking at a glock, I would have her try on the 19/23 frame first to see how it fits, and the compact for M&P, go from there. If she has carny hands or ape hands, make changes accordingly. Most of it will come down to personal preference.

A .40 S&W isn't bad if you get the right ammunition. According to the Internet Armory LLC in a review they conducted in January of 2012 .40 S&W Cor Bon in 135 grain JHP had the best stopping power (96%) beating out the .45 ACP (94%) and the recoil was greatly reduced and very manageable regardless of gender. However, as you said there is personal preferance to take into account. Don't forget to factor in those pistols that now come with the ability to change out the backstrap and adjusting the size of the grip for a better fit. Just my two cents worth.

Until demand and supply gets worked out, the price difference on .40 and 9mm is not that much if any. I have not found any 9mm in some time, fmj or HP. I have been able to get some .40 and .45 but I have had to look. Now I'm a big guy and so maybe I don't notice the difference, but I have shot both the M&P compacts in 9mm and .40 and found them both easy to shoot. I know several in law enforcement and they all use the .40. If the world falls apart, then having a gun that shoots what LEOs use gives you access to more ammo. Just a thought.

Prices are very comparable at the moment. I can still get 9mm JHP but it’s only about a buck less than .40 per box. I was assuming that things would get back to normal, but who really knows yet. You also make a valid point regarding the ability to scavenge ammo. That can never hurt. The main point I was trying to make to Warner is that I’ve seen quite a few new shooters, especially females, develop bad habits (flinching, jerking, recoil anticipation) when trying to tame a snappy .40 out of a poly frame. I’m sure all of us will admit there’s a difference between a 115 gr 9x19 and a 165 or 180 gr .40. In the end all that matters is that she’s safe and is able to train and become efficient with whatever she chooses to get.

"Proelium Comminus Auctoritate"
"Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is a muzzle flash."

Reaper: She's not sure as far as brand or model just yet. We briefly looked at some handguns a few months ago but I plan to take to look again and make a purchase this time. If I remember correct she liked the grip of my s&w 40gve but were greeting something that fits her likes/preference/etc.

Everyone else: thanks for inputs on brands/models, ill check to see if the local shops have the listed stuff to she if likes them

Like REAPER308 said why the 40? you can have a small cal so the gun fits in hand better but have a better round like a magsafe that will work well and have less recoil.
40's are nice use to shoot a H&K USP 40 just got a remington 1911 R1 from base waiting on ammo first time for me with this thing lol...............

She can get 9 or 40 its up to her I was just asking about 40s just to get some ideas. I told her we will find something she likes and is comfortable with. I know both 9&40 come in various frame sizes and capacity too. Just getting inputs basically

The .40 can be too snappy for someone who doesn't have a strong wrist, especially a polymer framed .40 like the Glock 23 where all the mass is above your wrist. They will fail to cycle if you limp wrist at all. A full size 9mm, to me, has virtually almost no kick. So depending on how experienced your lady is with firearms either caliber might be okay